Montana Teen Driving Laws, Insurance Requirements & Drivers License

Montana 's graduated driving law is designed to
progressively move teen drivers through different license phases as they gain
driving experience and education. The graduated system helps to reduce
high-risk driving situations through restrictions, education and parental or
adult supervision.

State of Montana Driving Permit

Teen drivers qualify for a Traffic Education Learner's
License (TELL) if they are 14 ½ years of age and they are currently enrolled in
a State of Montana Approved traffic education program. All teen drivers applying for a State of
Montana permit must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian. The
applicant is required to pass a vision screening and a written test. Applicants
must also provide proof of identity and residency in the State of Montana. If
the permit applicant has held a license in another jurisdiction, they must turn
the license during the application process.

To qualify, previous license holder must not have had their
license suspended, revoked or denied in any other state or jurisdiction. Teen
drivers must be able to pass the medical requirements for the type of driver
license that they are applying for. In addition, a court of law must not have found
the applicant to be mentally incompetent, or a habitual user of illegal drugs
or alcohol.

Once the permit is issued, it is valid for one year; however
the teen driver must wait a period of 6 months prior to applying for the 1st
year restricted license. The permit holder must complete a minimum of 50 hours
of supervised driving with 10 out of the 50 hours being nighttime driving. Teen
drivers with a TELL permit must be supervised by a parent or legal guardian.
All passengers and the permit holder must wear safety belts. Teen drivers with
a Learner's License must be supervised by a licensed driver that is a minimum
of 18 years of age that is authorized by a parent or guardian or the
supervision may be done by a licensed parent or guardian.

In order for the teen driver to advance to the 1st year
restricted license, they must not have received traffic convictions for drug or
alcohol offenses for 6 months prior to application.

State of Montana First Year Restricted License

After all of the permit requirements have been met the
learner permit holder may apply for the first year restricted license. Applicants
must bring in all applicable documents during the application process including
the completed Graduated Driver Licensing Parent Certification Form. All
passengers and the restricted license holder must wear safety belts while the
vehicle is in motion. Teen drivers may not drive between the hours of 11:00 PM
and 5:00 AM. The exceptions for this rule are listed below:

driving to or from school

driving to or from employment

driving to or from church

driving to or from specific parent approved
activities

emergencies

farm related activities

During the first 6 months that the teen driver holds the
restricted license, they must be supervised by a licensed driver that is a
minimum of 18 years of age. Teen drivers may not drive with more than 1
passenger under the age of 18 during the first 6 months that they hold the 1st
year restricted license. During the second 6 months that the teen driver holds
the restricted license, they may carry up to 3 passengers under the age of 18
without the supervision of a licensed driver that is a minimum of 18 years of
age.

State of Montana Full Driver License

The first year restricted license will automatically expire
on the date indicated on the back of the driver license or when the teen driver
turns the age of 18.

Full driver license status is the final step in the
graduated system. Once the teen driver has reached this point, they will be
able to drive unrestricted with full privileges.

State of Montana Insurance Requirements

It is against the law to drive in the State of Montana
without liability insurance.

Proof of liability insurance must be carried at all times
while driving. If you are found driving without liability insurance, your
vehicle license plates may be suspended for 90 days for a second offense and up
to 180 days on a third offense.

The amounts below reflect the minimum amount of liability
insurance required in Montana.

$25,000 -- bodily injury or death per person,
one accident

$50,000 -- bodily injury or death for 2 people
in any one accident

$10,000 -- injury or destruction of the property
of others for one accident

You must carry and show your insurance card to a law
enforcement officer on request. Operating a vehicle on the road without the
listed minimum liability insurance is a misdemeanor and punishable by a fine up
to $500 and up to 10 days in jail.